John Coffelt, Editor

The Manchester Planning Commission approved during the March 17 meeting a final plat that will carve off a portion of the Quality Inn property on Hillsboro Boulevard  with the idea to build a Panera Bread. 

Tom Hopkins of Ferber Company presented the plat at the meeting. He said the company hopes to purchase the portion of the property and submit the next set of plans during the next meeting. 

Currently the firm only has a rough site plan and the location is still owned by Jalaram Investments. Hopkins told the commission that proceeds from the purchase would be used for additions or improvements to the hotel. 

The commission unanimously approved the final plat with two punch list items, coordinating with Manchester Water and Sewer and to calculate parking spaces.   

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.